Collins Dictionary Names ‘Brexit’ Word Of The Year

Collins Dictionary has named ‘Brexit’ as word of the year. It beats lexicon’s topical and contemporary vocabulary weaved into today’s lexicon such as Trumpism, uberization and hygge.

According to the dictionary publisher, Brexit was first used in 2013. It means the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. Collins explained on its website that the significant impact of the word made it its word of the year.

“We believe that the obvious increased use of ‘Brexit’ [up 3400 percent in 2016]. Its significant impact in British politics and Britain’s exit from the EU make it a word not only primed for history books but also as Collins’ Word of the Year. It has divided the country, brought down a prime minister and been a gift to headline writers everywhere.”

“Our lexicographers monitor word usage across all forms of media, and highlight those that are new and are gaining traction with the public, or those established words that are being used more frequently, perhaps because their meaning is changing.”

Last year’s word of the year was binge-watch, the act of viewing a large number of television programmes in succession.

Top 10 2016 shortlist:

Therefore, here are the words on the 2016 shortlist were:

Brexit: the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

Hygge: A concept, originating in Denmark, of creating cosy and convivial atmospheres that promote wellbeing.

Mic drop: A theatrical gesture in which a person drops, or imitates the action of dropping, a hand-held microphone to the ground as the finale to a speech or performance.

Trumpism: (1) The policies advocated by the US politician Donald Trump. Especially those involving a rejection of the current political establishment and the vigorous pursuit of American national interests. (2) A controversial or outrageous statement attributed to Donald Trump.

Throw shade: To make a public show of contempt for someone or something, often in a subtle or non-verbal manner.

Sharenting: The habitual use of social media to share news, images, of one’s children.

Snowflake generation: The young adults of the 2010s, viewed as being less resilient and more prone to taking offence than previous generations.